Oscar-winning writer, director, and producer Peter Jackson has already left an indelible mark on Hollywood with his epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, which stands out as one of the best marriages between cutting-edge special effects and J.R.R. Tolkien's rich narrative. Jackson's most recent project, the big screen re-make of King Kong, resulted in another successful melding of entertainment -- this time between the linear film and the video game that bears Jackson's name in the title. Not since Enter the Matrix has there been such collaboration between a Hollywood director and a video game based on his creation. Like the Wachowskis, Jackson has been a gamer all of his life, so he brings gaming sensibilities to the table in his interactive collaborations. Jackson hand-picked Rayman creator Michel Ancel to spearhead the King Kong game because he had been impressed with his critically acclaimed, but commercially unrecognized adventure game, Beyond Good and Evil, several years ago. [More]

The Golden State Theatre in Monterey, CA is having a trilogy screening today, check out the details from their website: The complete epic trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson: The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and the Oscar-winning The Return Of The King. A marathon of all three incredible movies as they were meant to be seen, back-to-back without interruption on the big screen! [More]

This is one of the funnier 'Brokeback' spoof I've seen online (try 'Broke Mac Mountain' or 'Brokeback to the Future' for a great laugh), Jasher sends along this spoof 'Lord of the Rings: Brokeback Mount Doom'. You knew it had to happen, a spoof on Sam and Frodo's relationship in LOTR. Take a look! [More]

The Genre Traveler and Beyond Boundaries Travel Team Up for Special Weekend Package to See the Lord of the Rings Musical in Toronto. For Immediate Release: On Memorial Day Weekend, some fortunate Lord of the Rings fans not only will get to see the World Premiere musical in Toronto – already receiving rave reviews from theatre goers – but will also get the chance to meet the producer and cast in a private Q&A session. [More]

Rakshi writes: I am the web master of Sean-Astin.net. In appreciation of the wonderful time we all had at ORC 2006, I put together a song video which commemorates the event. The video shows images of the venue, the honored guests, and the fans who enjoyed every minute. I offer it to you to post for the fans so that they may have it as a memory of what a great time we all had. I have posted the video in two formats.

The folks from Continuum Books send this along: J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is one of the most popular books of the twentieth century and the recent film adaptations have made box office records. This book provides a comprehensive critical and theoretical analysis of both the book and films. [More]

Conservative leader David Cameron has announced his new baby son is to be called Arthur Elwen. Mr Cameron's wife Samantha, 34, gave birth to their third child by Caesarean section on Valentine's Day. The Tory leader said the names did not have any particular significance but he believed somebody on his father's side of his family was called Arthur. "Arthur we've always liked as a name and Samantha found Elwen in a book. We thought it was a good name," he said. Elwen is a name apparently of English origin which means "elf-wise friend". Newspaper reports have previously suggested that Mr Cameron's supporters play a game in which they imagine themselves in a political version of Middle Earth, with their leader cast as the Tory version of Lord of the Rings' Frodo. But a Tory spokeswoman stressed the couple had simply chosen the name from a book of baby names and it had nothing to do with Lord of the Rings. [More]

Garfeimao writes: Wow, just got this update from Gentle Giant, and it appears they will be taking over the partnership with WETA from Dark Horse.

New license – Lord of the Rings

The vast collection of Lord of the Rings products certainly require no complement, and Gentle Giant would not have embarked on this enterprise without the full blessing of the masters at Weta Collectibles. But given that blessing, Gentle Giant is proud to announce that it will be creating new collectible products based on its take of the now-classic franchise. Among the new products will be an animated-style maquette line, similar in look and feel to Gentle Giant’s previous animated releases in the Star Wars line. This animated look is being co-developed by New Line and Gentle Giant Studios. Look for the first releases in Fall 2006. [gentlegiantltd.com]

Actor Andy Serkis wants to meet serial killer Ian Brady - in preparation for his portrayal of the infamous murderer on a new TV production Serkis, the body behind King Kong in the 2005 remake, claims he'd like to come face to face with the child killer, so he can give a more convincing performance. He says, "I'm not sure if my views of Brady have changed since researching the role - I just know a lot more about him and if it would be possible to get in touch with him then I would. "It's very difficult as he is in Ashworth Hospital, where he has been held for six years." The 37-year-old actor insists he has no qualms about playing such a controversial character, as the film explores a vital philosophical question. [More]

Sean Bean has been tapped to play a fed eral prosecutor, the lead role in Fox's drama pilot "Faceless." Bean's character goes undercover as a criminal in order to take down a sprawling underworld organization. After playing Boromir in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, Bean appeared in four features last year: "The Dark," "The Island," "Flightplan" and "North Country." [nypost.com]

Ringers: Lord of the Fans has been nominated for a Saturn Award! It has been nominated for BEST DVD RELEASE, up against; Bionicle 3: Web of Shadows (Buena Vista), Boo (Ventura), Cube Zero (Lionsgate), Dead & Breakfast (Anchor Bay) & Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection (Sparkhill).

The Saturn Awards honor the most popular and successful film releases of the year. The genre film continues to dominate and control the box office with its’ imaginative and creative stories. These films are the crowd pleasers.

This year’s show will be hosted by top comedian Jeffrey Ross. The show will take place on May 2 in Universal City. For additional information, please go the Academy website: saturnawards.org.

Rebecca let us know about a Viggo Mortensen booksigning event tonight (Feb 17th) at the International Center of Photography in New York City (1133 Avenue of the Americas). Viggo will be signing copies of his new hardcover book 'Linger'. Be there tonight from 5:00pm - 7:30pm and get copies of 'Linger' signed! Please note that no photographs or movie memorabilia will be signed. Art books only. [icp.org]

Sideshow Collectibles is now pre-selling the much anticipated 12-inch Legolas Greenleaf. The Exclusive Edition of this figure, expected to only last a few hours, comes with his Lothlorien Cloak and Broach, as well as an interchangeable arrow stabbing hand. Follow the link to place your pre-order while supplies last. [Click Here]

Vacaville, CA - Hear ye! Hear ye! On April 21-23, 2006, the second annual Middle Earth Festival will come to life in historic Downtown Vacaville to celebrate author J. R. R. Tolkien and “The Lord of the Rings”. This fun-filled family event includes a fun run and forums on the themes of Tolkien. Saturday and Sunday activities include craft and merchandise vendors, entertainment, and games for the kids, demonstrations of old time skills, music, dance, fantasy and abundant food. [More]

Tauremorna writes: As in the previous years, Christopher Lee attended the "Cinema for Peace" gala at the 2006 Berlinale film festival on Feb 13. The 83-year-old British actor commemorated the 60th anniversary of UNICEF. "Every day, 30,000 children die before their fifth birthday", he said. Both Milla Jovovich, who opened the gala, and Mr Lee consider it a duty of celebrities to support the fight against poverty. The money raised at the gala will be donated to UNICEF and other charities. [More]

It's addition-by-subtraction time in Toronto as the mammoth musical theater version of "The Lord of the Rings" works on problems that caused the planned 3 1/2-hour show to run nearly five hours in its first preview. That's what previews are for, and playgoers who have seen early performances are reporting back favorably. "There's an absolutely fantastic 3 1/2 -hour show in there somewhere," says Derrick Chua, 39, a Toronto attorney who attended the very first preview, Feb. 4, at the Princess of Wales Theatre. Chua had no illusions that he'd be seeing a finished product. [More]

Richard Taylor—best known for his Oscar-winning work with the New Zealand F/X house Weta, as well as his collaborations with King Kong director Peter Jackson—told SCI FI Wire that he's spent four years developing a children's television production company, and that the company's first show, Jane and the Dragon, is currently in full production. "There's very little television in the Western world that empowers young girls to act above their station, and our story is a very simple story of a young girl born into a medieval court," Taylor said in an interview. "She's going to become a lady-in-waiting as her mother has and her mother before that, but she doesn't want to do that. She doesn't want to do that. She wants to become a knight, because by being a knight she can change the world around her for herself and her friends." [More]

Live in (or near) Monterey, Ca? Here's your chance to see the entire film trilogy -- The Fellowship Of The Ring, The Two Towers and the Oscar-winning The Return Of The King -- back to back. This one-day-only movie marathon will be held at the Golden State Theatre on February 19; tickets are $19. Thanks to Lisa for the heads up. [More]

Sideshow Collectibles is releasing their next 12-inch Figure, and its none other than Legolas Greenleaf! Early reports and images of this figure look absolutely stunning. (See above) The Priority Pre-Order (you have to be a newsletter member) starts tomorrow at 10AM for an exclusive edition which features Legolas's Lothlorien Cloak and Broach, as well as an interchangeable arrow stabbing hand! Get the details through the following links. [Pre-Order Information] [Sculpt Pictures] [Exclusive Pictures]

This weekend, Hall of Fire finally resumes its Silmarillion chats with chapter 16 -- Of Maeglin. We'll explore the tragic tale of Aredhel and Eol, exploring what spurred the White Lady of Gondolin to leave the hidden city and how it set in train a trail of events that leads right up the sacking of Gondolin itself.

Was Aredhel strong or rebellious, and how does her restlessness compare with that of her Noldorin half-sister, Galadriel? What does it say about her character that she chose to visit her Feanorean cousins, rather than Fingon? What of Turgon, who allowed her to leave Gondolin reluctantly? [More]

Dominic Monaghan's Golden Globe winning show 'Lost' is on tonight at 9PM EST on ABC. TORN's chatroom now has a special 'Lost' screening room, login to #lost at 9PM and watch with fans from around the country! [ABC.com] [TORN Chat]

LOTR fan matchmaking site Sam Loves Rosie is still going strong after two and a half years, and many couples have met through their common interest. If Valentine's Day has left a sour taste in your mouth, you might want to check out the site and see who else shares your interest in LOTR. [More]

The folks from Billy's Loons Charities write: We are proud to announce our latest auction of a beautiful original calligraphy of the song Pippin sang in the Return of the King. The original calligraphy was presented by the artist to Billy Boyd at the Pittsburgh Symphony Presentation of the Lord of the Rings in 2005. Billy graciously signed several copies made by the original artist at ORC 2006 in Pasadena, for auction with all proceeds to be donated to The Scottish Youth Theatre, in Glasgow. The calligraphy is 8 1/2" by 11" and laminated, ready to be framed as a wonderful keepsake of that touching scene in the Return of the King! Many thanks to Sandy for her lovely and touching creation, to Billy Boyd for his autograph and support, and to Auntie Nu for the photo. [eBay] [scottishyouththeatre.org]

It's Thursday on the Hawaiian island of Oahu, and "Lost" star Dominic Monaghan has a day off, but he's hardly kicking back by the pool. "I have my parents in town right now," he says. "I'm running around getting things done while they're in the post office getting postcards right now." Asked if he's the son of the year because teacher Austin and nurse Maureen Monaghan are getting to spend the Christmas season in paradise, Monaghan says, "I'm trying. Although my brother lives in Costa Rica, and they've always been used to their sons being in far-flung places. They get good air miles now." [More]

Andres writes: Once again Howard Shore's wonderful LOTR Symphony did not disappoint this fan! I, and a sold out audience in the beautiful Severance Hall in Cleveland were transported back to Middle-Earth in grand fashion. First of all Saturday's concert, 2/11 marked the 90th performance of this wonderful Symphony that has been heard at concert halls all around the world- from New Zealand to Great Britain, across Europe, in Japan, and throughout the United States. And The Cleveland Orchestra, which stands today among the world's most revered symphonic ensembles, did this city proud! [More]

BERLIN (AFP) - British actor and gay activist Ian McKellen accepted a Golden Bear lifetime achievement award at the Berlin Film Festival and said he was still a rare exception as an openly homosexual star. McKellen, 66, said that while the success of the Oscar-nominated gay cowboy movie "Brokeback Mountain" might open the door to more pictures on the subject of homosexuality, the industry had rigid ideas about leading men. "It is very, very, very difficult for an American actor who wants a film career to be open about his sexuality. And even more difficult for a woman if she's lesbian. It's very distressing to me that that should be the case," he told a news conference. [More]

Be sure to tune into FOX tonight at 9PM EST to catch a new episode of "24" with Sean Astin. Sean has joined the cast of the hit show in it's fifth season, he plays a savvy government agent who has taken control of 'CTU' the Counter Terrorism Unit.

British conductor and choral director Terry Edwards was rushed to hospital after suffering a heart problem during a performance in the eastern French city of Lyon, emergency services say. Edwards, in his 60s, was taken ill just 10 minutes into the performance of the Lord of the Rings symphony from the successful film series, at Lyon's Halle Tony-Garnier. He was said to be in serious condition overnight. [More]

Orodromeus writes: Hello fellow tolkiendili and TORn staffers! Just a few words on the concert of February 11th, 2006 in Lyon, France. For the 2005-2006 season, dates for the Lord of the Rings Symphony in Europe are very few. France got 2 dates, and I believe there are 2 more in Germany. It was the first time the Symphony was presented in France, and oddly enough it didn’t happen in the capital, Paris, but in Lyon. [More]